Chapter 19: Floating through Oblivion (A)

>The depths of oblivion. I'd never thought I'd end up here...heh, I never even knew that it would be like this. Nothing but darkness...a large void of shadows. Lives of those who were lost, people who were
(-)ed to wander for eternity. Those who'd be defeated by the forces of light. I wasn't expecting get out of this place easily...I didn't even know if such a way of escape was possible. If my father and Assassin Aharon could return from here...I...No. They were ones of the darkness. A necissity to both this dimension...and mine. The forces of light had no power here. If I was going to escape, I was going to muster all of the darkness inside me...but could I use such power?<

Voices of doubt echoed through the void, mocking me, my situation and my struggles against the Dark One. They said it wouldn't be long before I became like them, nothing but a voice, lost in a void of oblivion. I saw a small sparkle from my neck. The necklace? It glowed brightly before it's light surrounded me. The voices grew faint and distant.

"Our powers are weak here, but they should protect you...you must escape before you are taken. Fight bravely, son of the Light. Don't let darkness take you. In every situation, no matter how hopless, there is light. Search for it, and prevail. Go. Now."

The voices faded, and I made my way through the dark realm, searching for the light. After hours of searching, I grew tired, and collapsed. The light began to flicker.

>I wasn't going to give up, but my body was growing weak. Even as I sat there, the darkness began biting away at my resistance, until I gave up. Giving it my all, I forced my body to stand, and looked ahead. A twinkling star was before me, and I streched out my hand. It flew away from me, making me grew angry. As I drew closer to it, the light floated out of my reach. The light around me was fading still and soon, I'd be vunerable to the ones of the dark. Desperation and fear slowly seeped into my senses. Was I going to die here?<

"No...I've gone through worse. I can't let it all end here. My promises...I still have to keep...the Dark One...he's got to be stopped...I...I'm not going to let myself die yet!"

The star floated in front of me. I reached out slowly and gently placed my hand on it. It felt like a radiant piece of stone, it's power shining through me. A large doorway opened, causing stars and the normal dimension to return. I looked down at the necklace around my neck and held the gem tightly. It twinkled before I was floating through space...

>Space...It's so deep...so many things we don't know about...the wonders and dangers. The Lost Library would have been destroyed, as well as the planet it was housed. I grew concerned for Adis and Edward's safety. The Dark One could have...I quickly pushed it from my mind and focused on the small planet approaching...But...something in me changed...I know I was in oblivion for a short period of time...but everything up until now had made me think...about my weakness...and who I was. I began to think if I was going to need to be a bit more serious. My role and destiny isn't something I should take lightly, or for granted.<

>It was when we won the Dimensional War...That all I could think about was that we could go home...to our normal lives...but things in me changed. Perhaps I was young...it's been four years since then, maybe I've outgrown it...but enough of me thinking about this...I'll concentrate on the memory...Our departure back to our dimension was almost near. I wanted to show people on Earth what I could do. But...I began to think people would shun and put me in a research facility because of my powers. The title of 'The Ultimate Gamer.' was inherited by my Great, Great, Greatgrandfather, Sir Johnathan Lightwalker. His valor and courage was well known. I was nothing like him. I was a bit of a coward then. Me and my brother Zacharay are the last of our blood-line. Dakoda's DNA was warped on our arrival, and me and Zac were 'born'. We came into this world by unknown means...we just came into existance, but had our mother's blood...Maybe it was destiny that caused us to be created?<

>I was always too cheerful and easy-going. I was never serious about most things. I thought life was just to have fun...but it's changed...my outlook has changed...maybe all of the things that have occured have finally started to effect me. Hah...I remember fighting off the forces of darkness off each planet by myself...and I was happy to be in this dimension...So many things have passed...my sister's death...meeting Eiko...It had been fun...maybe spending the rest of eternity floating through space wouldn't be so bad...<

>Eiko...Adis...Will I ever see you again? Zac...my brother...Are you alright without me? Seb...David....Everyone...Maybe this is it after all...When the light around me vanishes...so will I...My body cannot survive in space without the powers of light protecting me...and it seems it has almost diminished...But why is it protecting me? I...I'm not going to escape from this one...the Light is almost gone...it should be protecting my friends...not me...I don't deserve to have friends like them...<

Tears streamed down my face, twinkling brightly as they floated away. A smile formed on my face as I looked around. Nothing but stars and beautiful celesital formations...comets flew past me, leaving a trail of blue fire. My backpack glowed brightly, before everything went white...

>Where am I now? Am...Am I dead? Is this...<

"Son of the Light...You have done well to survive through these trials and hardships...but your purpose has not yet been fulfilled. Our world still needs a hero...You are that hero. You have proven yourself to be worthy of the light. You have earned yourself the right to be called The Ultimate Gamer...and such...you have earned a second chance. You have my undying support. I believe in you..." the voice called.

The black demonic wings vanished, and in their place, two transuclent white wings sprouted. Thier dazzling radiance caused me to shield my eyes.

"Thank you for everything...Rachel."

The voice seemed hesitant to respond. A second later, a young girl, about 14 descended before me, looking at me. She looked the exact way I remebered her. Her eyes sparkling.

"...Joshua. I'm sorry about all of this...I never wanted you to go through all of the pain you have endured...but I had to do something to save you. The trials you went through bought back your redemption, and with it, a chance to defeat the Dark One. The darkness may have a small place in you...but as long as you remember me...and all you've done that is good, it won't win. Joshua..."

"Rachel...Why did you save me? I let you down so many years ago...how did you end up in this dimension..."

"...Because I loved you...and I still do. I've always been watching over you, helping you how I could....but when you began to forget, I had to cause the memories of your past to emerge again. My existance will cease if you forget about me..."

"What should I do? Can I bring you back somehow? Is there anything I can..."

"I know you love me. And all you did was trying to keep me safe. You didn't know about the star...or the disaster...The necklace...when the time comes, you will need to use it. Eiko and Adis will be there to watch over you. I...I'll never forget our time together, my love...Bring the light back to this world..."

"Rachel...Will I see you again?"

She smiled at me and kissed me gently on the cheek.

"...Yes...after the darkness is gone...I'll wait for you...Joshua."

>As she slowly faded away, I couldn't help but feel a small part of me was bleeding. I know I hadn't seen her for so long...and now I learn she's been watching over me the entire time she died...Rachel...I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help you...I'll beat The Dark One...just watch and see...My body began to glow brightly, before I began hurtling through space at an incredible speed. Stars became white blurs of light before I came to a sudden stop. Below was where my adventures first began...and now, I intended to end it here...The Dark One...I could feel his power clearly...<

Meanwhile...

"Perhaps we should retreat from this battle...My son. Our lives will be forfiet if we continue to fight any longer..." the man suggested.

His body was covered in black armour, cloaked with robes. They were torn and ragged, while blood stained his armor and clothes, he threw back his cape and placed his sword back in his sheath. Both eyes glowed red at his son, who did the same.

"Dad...What do we do? If we can't..." the teenager complained.

"Your brothers are going to have to help us with this one...If we stand any chance, we're going to have to all unite to stop this threat. Those of the Light and Darkness must become one, otherwise we will all fall...Come, Dakoda. We must flee. I sense Joshua's prescene..."

"ESCAPE?! FOOLS! YOU WILL DIE HERE! I WILL SEE YOUR BLOOD STAIN THE BARREN GROUND HERE!" The Dark One laughed.

"...Dark Grasp. Now."

A wave of dark energy forced the Dark One back, stopping his advance. Motioning to Dakoda, they fled into the distance, to the Northen Reaches...In the air, David and Zac we having thier own problems aboard the StrongGale...